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By Paresh Dave

OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) – Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) is stifling competition through its mobile app store, attorneys general for 34 U.S. states and the District of Columbia said on Thursday, as they appealed against a ruling that let the iPhone maker continue some restrictive practices.

The remarks to an appeals court came in a lawsuit over app store fees and payment tools between “Fortnite” video game maker Epic Games and Apple.

Last year, a U.S. district judge in Oakland, California mostly ruled against Epic, in a finding that commissions of 15% to 30% which Apple charges some app makers for use of an in-app payment system it forced on them did not violate antitrust law.

Epic challenged the ruling in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. On Thursday, professors, activist groups and the states weighed in through court filings that described legal arguments in support. Apple’s reply is expected in March.